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TRAVEL TOOL

Cycle through this outstandingly beautiful region, often missed by visitors due to inaccessibility on four wheels. The trail was not one road as many understood it to be but a complex network of dirt paths and tracks that ran through Vietnam and Laos. In many of the unpopulated and more remote areas of the trail (especially on the Lao side) there is still much war debris to be found.
On top of all this you get to explore Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh as well as relax in Hoi An.
Please note: All activity days are fully supported by a minibus. This means you can cycle only the distance you feel comfortable with.

Day 1 - arrive Hanoi
Upon arrival in Hanoi you'll be met by your guide who will transfer you to your hotel.
Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, ranks amongst the world's most attractive and interesting cities. It was first the capital of Vietnam in AD 1010 and, though the nation's capital moved to Hue under the Nguyen dynasty in 1802, the city continued to flourish after the French took control in 1888. In 1954, after the French departed, Hanoi was declared Vietnam's capital once again. The remnants of over 1,000 years of history are still visible here, with that of the past few hundred years wonderfully preserved. The remainder of the day is at your leisure until dinner at a local restaurant, where you will get to sample authentic Vietnamese cuisine for the first time.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Meals: (_/_/D)

Day 2 - Hanoi
For those fully recovered from the jet lag, an early morning rise is recommended. Hoan Kiem Lake is a hive of activity from 6am onwards, with seemingly the whole of Hanoi taking early morning exercises - watch from the safety of a cafe or join in if you feel up to it!
After breakfast visit the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh and then drive on to the Museum of Ethnology. The Museum of Ethnology is one of Vietnam’s best, with interactive displays and a wide collection of well-preserved objects and documents. It is also a great place to learn about Vietnam’s 52 ethnic-minority peoples.
After lunch the afternoon is at leisure for you to decide. There’s plenty to do and see, the shopping is excellent or you may choose to find a spot on the Hoan Kiem lakeside and just watch Hanoi - it is a truly unique city.
There is entertainment this evening at Hanoi’s famous water puppet theatre before sampling some more typical North Vietnamese cuisine at a central restaurant, ideally located for anyone who would like to watch the city wind down with a cold drink at one of Hanoi’s many alfresco bars.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Meals: (B/L/D)

Day 3 - Hanoi - Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Having departed Hanoi early, you will arrive in Mai Chau in the late morning. There’s time to enjoy a cooked lunch at a local Thai village before saddling up and setting off along a spectacularly beautiful river valley towards Hoi.
You will be travelling along an old supply route of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which fed the main trail with ammunitions during the American War with Vietnam. Tonight you will stay in a traditional house on the edge of the nature reserve. This home stay is part of an eco-tourism community project set up by Fauna and Flora International in 2003. Throughout your journey you'll benefit greatly from the interpretation skills of your guide, which means you can interact with the local people you meet along the way.
Overnight in home stay at Pu Loung Nature Reserve.
25km cycling
Meals: (B/L/D)

Day 4 - Pu Luong Nature Reserve - Ngoc Lac
Starting early to avoid the midday sun you will cycle away from the river that contours through the range of mountains stretching from Mai Chau to Cuc Phuong and Hoa Lu. The road gets more beautiful the closer you ride to Ngoc Lac, with looming karst limestone cliffs and lush vegetation surrounding you. The route is tarmac all the way, but quite hard riding due to the undulating terrain.
It’s a long ride, and you may choose to take advantage of the support vehicle to save your legs for future riding - it will be close-by throughout the trip for precisely that reason!
Overnight in Ngoc Lac.
70km cycling
Meals: (B/L/D)

Day 5 - Ngoc Lac - Kim Lien, Vinh
Ride for the first time on the newly built two-lane Ho Chi Minh Highway, although it hardly warrants two-lanes as there is no traffic! The road makes for fast riding but, for those who prefer, there is always the old highway, surfaced with dirt and gravel, that weaves around the new highway allowing for plenty of opportunities to explore along the way.
Visit Ly Thai To Pagoda, where the first king of the Ly dynasty, Le Thai To, ruled in 1428, and the birthplace of president Ho Chi Minh at Kim Lean. Vinh, the province you'll be riding through, has a reputation for producing charismatic revolutionary leaders; not only Ho Chi Minh but also Phan Boi Chau – another fervent anti-Colonialist, who was born here.
From Ho Chi Minh’s house you will drive down out of the mountains and stay overnight in a basic hotel close to the beach.
Overnight in Vinh Province.
60km cycling
Meals: (B/L/D)

Day 6 - Vinh - Huong Khe
After breakfast and an early morning swim if you fancy, you will drive back up to the highway and cycle along the increasingly mountainous highway to Huong Khe. Once again, it’s a long ride, and you may wish to sit the ride out at times. The highway continues down the coast and you will catch regular glimpses of the train line that also hugs the coastline all the way from Hanoi to Saigon.
Upon arrival in Houng Khe you will eat at a local restaurant where you are likely to start noticing changes in the cuisine - the further south you cycle the spicier the food will become, although it rarely reaches the chilli-hot heat of Thai food!
Overnight in Houng Khe.
80km cycling
Meals: (B/L/D)

Day 7 - Huong Khe - Phong Nha National Park
After a relaxing breakfast, you will continue your ride on the Ho Chi Minh Trail, either on the new build or the gravel track beside it, with the former still being virtually empty of traffic.
From Huong Khe the mountains rise and the road winds up and down as you travel through the hills. It’s amazing to think of the large artillery and bulks of supplies that were carried though this region by the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) during the war. However, today the scenery is spectacular and the road tranquil as you ride up to 80km before transferring the last few kilometres to Phong Nha National Park.
Phong Nha was used as a hospital and ammunition depot during the war, and the entrance still shows evidence of fighter aircraft attacks. There are community projects underway with Flora and Fauna International, and it may be possible to visit village initiatives and learn more about the forests of the National Park.
Overnight in a park guesthouse.
80km cycling
Meals: (B/L/D)

Day 8 - Phong Nha National Park - Dong Hoi
After breakfast, visit one of the most one spectacular caves in Vietnam, accessed by boat, before wandering through the main cavern past the foundations of ancient Cham ruins. The cave was formed approximately 250 million years ago and is home to some stunning formations of stalactites and stalagmites.
Return to the bikes and cruise to the small beachside town of Dong Hoi. The town suffered some heavy bombing during the American war and you can still see many craters from the heavy bombs that were dropped, as well as bunkers built by the French during earlier conflicts. It is sites such as this that remind you of just how much conflict the Vietnamese people have seen in recent times.
Overnight in Dong Hoi.
60km cycling
Meals: (B/L/D)

Day 9 - Dong Hoi - Khe Sanh - Lao Bao
This morning visit the Vinh Moc Tunnels, a 2.8km complex of tunnels where the Vietnamese hid from US troops during the American War. The tunnels were built by the villagers of Vinh Moc during 1966, when they were being heavily bombed.
Later, saddle up and start cycling along a strategic feeder road that cuts across the DMZ (better known as the 17th Parallel), from the small town of Cam Lo. The road is now quite flat and makes for good cruising. The Ho Chi Minh trail here intersects the feeder road from Dong Ha and heads across country into Laos. Cycle past relics leftover from the American war en route to the border towns of Khe Sanh and Lao Bao. A host of American military installations were dotted along its length setting the stage for some of the bloodiest battles of the war. Visit Dakrong Bridge and other sites before ending a challenging ride at Khe Sanh on the Lao border.
Overnight on Laos border.
70km cycling
Meals: (B/L/D)

Day 10 - Lao Bao - Khe Sanh, Aluoi
After completing an exploration of Khe San and Lao Bao by bike, transfer back onto the southern section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail for a relatively short day in the saddle.
Ride up into the mountains along a fantastically remote road to the tiny town of Aluoi. Throughout the past few days you will have been kept captivated by the ever-changing scenery passing you by, and today is no exception. You will be riding through both primary and secondary forest as well as cultivated and wild land. As you get close to Aluoi, there may be time to take a break at one of the many waterfalls to be found in this former US stronghold, which was abandoned after being overrun by NVA forces. The area then became an important depot base for supplies travelling south down the trail.
Overnight in Aluoi.
55km cycling
Meals: (B/L/D)

Day 11 - Aluoi - Hamburger Hill, Prao
A very long day in the saddle today with up to 112km of cycling! (As ever, there is motorised support available throughout.) The trail becomes even more remote, making for some spectacular cycling.
You will visit the infamous Hamburger Hill, the site of one of the bloodiest battles during the entire American war. In just six days the US lost over 240 soldiers during a search-and-destroy operation here, right on the Lao border. Shortly after the battle, the NVA reoccupied the hill and the surrounding area. After the visit, continue on to Prao where you will spend the night.
Overnight in Prao.
112km cycling
Meals: (B/L/D)

Day 12 - Prao - Hoi An
Today the route leaves the Ho Chi Minh Highway and cuts back to the coast. Cycle downhill along route 14b towards Hoi An. Ride only 34km then transfer the remaining 30km to Hoi An. The afternoon will be free to rest and relax at this quaint UNESCO World heritage Site.
Once known as Faifo, Hoi An was one of the Orient’s major trading ports in the 16th and 17th centuries. Despite the passing of 200 years and the ravages of weather and war, the centre of Hoi An remains much the same as it was in its heyday. It is also one of the best places in Vietnam to shop for souvenirs at bargain prices, including silk, handicrafts, tailoring, antiques and paintings. Five kilometres from the centre of town is Cua Dai Beach, popular with both locals and visitors alike for its sandy beach, warm waters and seafood stalls.
The best way to see this town is by foot as all the main sites, including the wooden-fronted houses that once belonged to the town’s prosperous merchants, the Japanese covered bridge and the wonderful market, are all within easy walking distance of each other.
Later there are plenty of other options you might like to consider: soaking up the unique atmosphere of this ancient town from one of the many cafés, or perhaps taking a bike ride to the beach and taking some time out in the surf.
Hoi An boasts a huge range of restaurants and cafés to choose from and is famed throughout Vietnam for such wonderful dishes as Cao Lau, Hoang Thanh and White Rose. Cao Lau, a delicious soup made with noodles, pork and greens, is only found in Hoi An and must be made with water from the town’s ancient well.
Overnight Hoi An.
35km cycling
Meals: (B/L/_)

Day 13 - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh
Spend another day relaxing in Hoi An, strolling through the streets or enjoying the beach.
Alternatively you may wish to join a cooking class (cost not included), learning how to recreate some of the amazing food you have been enjoying throughout your trip. After a tour of the morning market and some shopping for ingredients, you'll take a boat to the beautifully set Red Bridge cooking school and restaurant. Suitable for all levels and ability, it’s a fun morning and you even get to ‘enjoy’ your efforts in the restaurant for lunch!
In the late afternoon there is a short drive to Danang for your onward flight to Ho Chi Minh.
Ho Chi Minh is the largest city in Vietnam and is located near the Mekong delta. It was originally the main Cambodian port before being conquered by the Vietnamese in the 16th century and named Saigon. The city was then renamed once again, after the North Vietnamese invasion of South Vietnam in 1975, becoming Ho Chi Minh City (named after the North Vietnamese leader).
Today, the city centre is still adorned with wide elegant boulevards and historic French buildings. However, it is undoubtedly the economic powerhouse of Vietnam and high rise office towers are starting to take their place amongst the wonderful colonial architecture.
On arrival in Ho Chi Minh, check into the hotel and freshen up before enjoying a sumptuous meal at one of Ho Chi Minh’s top restaurants.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.
Meals: (B/_/D)

Day 14 - Ho Chi Minh
After breakfast enjoy a morning tour of downtown Ho Chi Minh, still called Saigon by many locals, taking in the former Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the War Remnants Museum and Presidential Palace as well as cycling through some of the downtown districts.
The afternoon and evening are at leisure to continue exploring and for you to choose where to enjoy your final meal in Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh is a great city to explore at night, with plenty of bars and great restaurants.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.
Meals: (B/L/_)

Day 15 - Ho Chi Minh
Departure day. At leisure until you transfer to Ho Chi Minh Airport for your onward flight.
Meals: (B/_/_)

Hotel use on This Trip

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